Dublin's Brian Howard hungrier than ever after timely Asian escape

“I was under no illusion that it was going to be tough to get back in."

Brian Howard stands for a portrait during a Dublin media conference at Parnell Park in Dublin ahead of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

At 2022 season’s end, Brian Howard needed a breather. Involved with Dublin since he was part of an U13 development squad, the then 25-year-old had never had the opportunity to travel for more than a week or two.

And so after he helped Raheny avoid relegation from senior level at the expense of neighbours Clontarf, he and his girlfriend Emer headed to Southeast Asia either side of coming home for Christmas.